Traditions

Faith may be defined briefly as an illogical belief in the occurrence of the improbable.
H. L. Mencken


Many people will posit the United States was founded on Judea Christians values, therefore we should continue the traditions of the past. Traditions practiced by all of the tribal members reinforces the belief one is right because all in the tribe thinks the same.

People will selectively choose which traditions from the past they want to promote. Yet they will propose that because their belief is 'traditional' it should be enforced. Slavery and human sacrifice used to be traditional.

Traditions are constantly being discarded by the tides of time because they do not stand the test of reason. Reason is not the cause for the conversions, time is the cause. Each new generation has a different view of the traditions, seen through different lenses.

The Christmas tradition has come under attack lately. Some cynics see Christmas cards that cost $3.00 and only say "Merry Christmas" with a signature as a waste of time. Others say standing in line at the crowded shopping malls is more waste of time and money for a spoiled and hedonistic society. Others say Christmas is a Christian holiday and should not be forced on other religions.

Many people who pretend to like traditions when they do not are practicing social behavior. Christmas is one tradition when the tribe used to all put aside conflict and differences and be alike.

When some in the tribe refuse to go along with a tradition, it creates stress and conflict in the tribe.

Pretending to like a tradition in order to promote social harmony causes stress by the pretender when the tradition starts to loose its strength. Just because some members of the tribe do not like to stand in line at the mall does not mean those members of the tribe are a threat to the tribe. However, fear of anti social behavior too often is perceived as a threat, when is it simply a challenge to something others perceive as illogical.

Bilbo Baggins